Your tire is calling

As soon as next year your tires may be calling you. According to reports, a Finnish tiremaker is working on installing individual chips into each wheel of a vehicle that will monitor tire pressure and temperature. The chips will then report changes to the driver's mobile phone via a Bluetooth interface.

The tiremaker also hopes to have future tires using the technology be able to warn drivers of tire-wear, hydroplaning, and more.

JOEL'S OPINION
While I love the concept of integrating a chip that can monitor the tires of an automobile, I'm not really that big a fan of having the tires call a mobile phone. Imagine talking on your mobile phone and all of the sudden being interrupted by an alert that you need to check your tire pressure.

Also, if this company can succeed in notifying your mobile phone, what's to stop other product makers from doing the same thing? Pretty soon your mobile phone will be filled with messages from your refrigerator telling you that you need more milk or from your coffee maker informing you that your coffee is now brewed.

Again, I like the concept but would prefer a special display that can be attached to the dashboard instead of using a mobile phone. I'm sure that the company is initially working with a mobile phone since that's one of the first devices that will be Bluetooth-enabled. Let's hope that it's more of a “stage one” thing and won't be the norm going forward.

Here's to never having to think again(10:16am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)Wahoo! The world where everything is done for us electronically is getting closer by the second! I can smell it! I can't wait, someday we'll just be able to sit all day at our computers (or whatever will replace them) and constantly be swarmed with messages that will float by our heads saying “your bladder is full, would you like to initiate bladder drain?” and “you are hungry, you feel like Doritoes, say 'purchase' and they will be delivered”.

Give me convenience or give me death!– by Rary

Tire Pressure(10:19am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)I have a 2000 Olds Alero and it has an “idiot light” for tire pressure. I'm not sure if they use a chip or what for this but it is pretty kewl. I agree that I sure wouldn't want my tires (or any other appliance) calling my cell phone. – by Dru

dear Rary(10:42am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)Wouldn't that get old? What about seeing the sunset or playing a game of football with some friends? Not to mention the health issues…. bed sores, obesity, near sightedness….. etc. Just a thought. – by Seljo Myeri

Johnny Number Five(10:42am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)Need more input!

I'm sure these phones, PDAs or whatever digital leash you prefer will have some method of alerting you for urgent messages, and simply queing less important ones. I doubt anyone will really set their tire chips or milk cartons to send an URGENT message, unless they just want to feel important. – by propellerhead

Notification Method(10:55am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)Call your mobile phone? Are they high from the rubber fumes or something? If its wireless, then why not have it call the car's on-board computer and whine? I may be the most intelligent system in the car, but I don't need to be bothered with the details. I have more important problems to deal with when I drive, like the person laughing on his/her cell phone as he/she begins to drift into my lane. I'd rather have the computer answer this call and notify me using the esablished auto user interface (read dashboard indicators or HUD).

This certainly sounds like a hammer looking for a nail… – by Realistic Driver

Notification Method (cont)(11:03am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)Also, this would allow the system to store a record in a running log. It could act as a black-box like recorder for accident investigators…including logging whether the mobile phone was in use during the accident, speed, oil pressure, tire pressure, tire temperature, etc… These type of systems are currently in the testing phases now anyway, so why not build it to interface more easily from the start?

Remember, the term is “Research and Development”, not just “Development”. Development without Research IS a hammer looking for a nail!

– by Realistic Driver

TO DO list(11:21am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)Excelent! Will it add an item to my TO-DO list on my phone/PDA (“Add air to tires”, “Change oil”). Will the pump at the gas station remind me that I need to add air? Will the “Change oil” entry on my phone/PDA have a link to my mechanic so I can schedule an appointment? Will the fridge add items to the grocery list on my phone/PDA (“Milk”, “Mayonaise”, “Pickles”). Will my home water filter notify me that I need to replace the filter, and will it add filters to my shopping list if I am running low? Will it automatically order new filters for me if I wish? Will my home Air Conditioner system remind me to change the filter, or to schedule maintenance? Will I be able to control my TV/Stereo from my phone/PDA? What about the home thermostat, and the room lights? – by Cool Stuff

Dead on the side of the road(11:40am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)We found him dead on the side of the road. The only evidence we have about the accident is a message on his cell phone saying he is hydroplaning.– by not lame

Been Done(12:10pm EST Mon Oct 23 2000)My buddy's '98 Vette had this crap, sans the cell-phone business. It told you the exact tire pressure and mileage for each tire. That vette had more computer crap in it than my basement. Maybe that's what makes it go fast… – by sticky52

Under Pressure?(12:12pm EST Mon Oct 23 2000)I think the tire pressure monitor is a great idea. Of course, I own a 1997 Corvette that has it built in already. It will display the EXACT tire pressure for each tire on the display in the dash. I would be annoyed if it were to call my cell phone. Having it where it is has saved me a lot of gas over the last couple of years, I'm sure. Underinflated tires are horrible for gas mileage, and I never remember to check them normally… – by 97Vette

Seljo(12:17pm EST Mon Oct 23 2000)I was joking. The reality is that when that day arives, I'll smash my computer and become a Luddite.

Technology is fun, but not THAT fun.– by Rary

No officer i wasn't on the phone(2:02pm EST Mon Oct 23 2000)UMMMM. might just be in PA and NJ but isn't it ILLEGAL to be on the cell phone while driving? Are there specical expceptions like – my tire is on hold can you speed this up officer?? – by dredly

Yeah… I think this cellphone calling dealio is a little…crazy. I'm sure that it won't be very healthy for people who aren't right in the head or who are high on shrooms. (Me: “Duuuude! The tire's talking to me, maannn! I need to lay off the drugs” Passenger: “you're not on drugs, dude!”)– by munky

NHTSA(6:53pm EST Mon Oct 23 2000)I think that there was something lost in the translation from Finnish to English. My bet is the NHTSA would have something to say about such a device being marketed in the US. Now, being in the industry, I could see a benefit to having a bluetooth device communicate with an onboard vehicle device. What happens if you loan your cell phone to someone else and the device is on automatic redial. Honey, honestly it wasn't me calling it was the tires? This device would have to have NHTSA approval and they've done such a good job with Firestone. – by MooseMan

Bluetooth(5:28am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)You don't seem to understand what this technology means. the tire is NOT going to “call” your mobile-phone! It might just display a message on the screen telling that the tire-pressure is getting low. And if you don't have bluetooth-phone with you… Well, then the tire could make a bluetooth connection with a computer in a gas-station next time you pull over, and when you pay for the gas, they could tell you that you have low-pressure on one of the tires.

In the future, alot of appliances are going to communicate via bluetooth. And they receiving terminal doesn't have to be a mobile-phone. It could be a desktop-computer! And of course, you could decide that you don't want to receive any messages from certain applications.

the eggheads in Finland are hard at work designing applications for Bluetooth. One interesting idea is a instant LAN in a cafeteria for example. The cafe has a Bluetooth-network, and when you step in, you get their price-list to your phone, and you could place orders with it. and while you are at it, you could chat to other people at the cafe and check news online, because that cafe has a broadband net-connection and you are connected to it via bluetooth.

Just think of the possibilities – by Janne

Just imagine…(7:32am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)Stepping into a restraunt and being presented with the menu, then placing an order via your mobile phone…isn't there a technology called “Waiter” that already does this. I understand its available in most countries.

As for chatting with other people in the vicinity, I find I can do this without a mobile phone. – by wow

wow(8:53am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)Ok, that restaurant example wasn't the best possible. You wouldn't need a waiter with Bluetooth =). And you wouldn't need any money with you, as you could pay with WAP-services.

As for chatting, well you could chat with the people in the restaurant (anonymous chatting? Good thing in night-clubs for example)… Or you could chat to people all over the world! All you need is a Bluetooth-server connected to the net, and you are ready to chat.

And of course, you could play multiplayer-games in a Bluetooth-network. OK, you are not going to play Quake on a mobile just yet, but there are games you could play with a mobile. And of course, there would be laptops & PDA's with bluetooth as well…

Point is… Anything is possible… – by Janne

This nightclub thing(9:14am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)Maybe I'm not getting it….but isn't the point of going to nightclubs non-anonymous chatting, followed by non-anonymous necking, maybe followed by a couple of lines of non-anonymous coke and some non-anonymous sex?

How about the Bluetooth-enabled stash box, that alerts your dealer when you're down to less than a gram? Or better yet, the Bluetooth penile add-on (tradename “Bluetool”, perhaps), so that when you get erect it automatically sends out for condoms?

Impersonal technologies for personal activities….what's the point? – by bluetool

This nightclub thing (2)(9:18am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)Well, aside from generating new revenue by developing and vending more useless crap that people don't want/need… – by bluetool

Bluetool(9:41am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)Very funny…

Do I know what the future applications of Bluetooth will be? No! I have just said couple of examples that I could think of (luckily I'm NOT developing Bluetooth-applications).

Bluetooth creates short-range networks easily. All it takes is an bluetooth-enabled device to come within range. Possible uses to that technology are ENORMOUS! You could have bluetooth televisions, bluetooth appliances, bluetooth computers, all controlled by same control-device (somekind of web-pad for example).

Bluetooth might become really big thing. Like “Internet, Part 2”. – by Janne

Chatting in Restaraunts(11:53am EST Tue Oct 24 2000)Don't we have enough of a problem with the inconsiderate diner that simply MUST talk on their cell phone next to me in the restaraunt? I mean, I really don't want to hear him talk to about his latest rectal exam at the doctors while I'm eating…!!!

– by REality Check

sides(3:43pm EST Tue Oct 24 2000)

the user will set how the system works of calling not the tire or any other appliance since they give thier number

it wouldnt be mandatory

its funny to see how writers usually jump to conclusions that wont happen – by wh

people, listen to yourselves!(8:22pm EST Tue Oct 24 2000)is it all that hard to get your tires examined every so often?? no!

this is fundamentally useless technology that suffers from the “because we can” syndrome that has afflicted so much on this planet.

there is convenience, and then there is a waste of time, resources, money, and technology.

i can fill my own tires, read a menu at restaurant, and go to the store when i need something. without the benefit of a substitute brain telling me that i do. people are becoming more and more lazy as more and more of these stupid ideas come to fruition, simply because we can. just because we can have our tires call us, why should we? are we not intelligent beings who could schedule times to check them so that they dont become worn or low? i think that i can. can you? – by power_user

Chatting….(4:45am EST Wed Oct 25 2000)OK… When you chat with bluetooth in the restaurant (like I mentioned in my example), you don't have to TALK on the phone! You could chat with a keyboard! We have been doing that for years in Finland with SMS-sevice, with bluetooth, that technology would take enormous leap formward!

As for the tires… Sure, it's easy to check your tires now and then. But if you are slowly losing air-pressure in the middle of the road, you have no reason to be worried at that moment. Next time you stopat a gas-station, it would be nice if someone came uop to you and said “excuse me, but one of your tires told our computer that it's losing air-pressure”, that way you save yourself alot of hassle, when you don't have to find out in the middle of nowhere that you have a flat tire.

Has any of you bothered to take a look at the www.bluetooth.com and see what this technology could do? – by Janne

Re: DRU(7:23am EST Wed Oct 25 2000)>Tire Pressure (10:19am EST Mon Oct 23 2000)>I have a 2000 Olds Alero and it has>an “idiot light” for tire pressure.>I'm not sure if they use a chip or>what for this but it is pretty kewl. I>agree that I sure wouldn't want my>tires (or any other appliance) calling>my cell phone. – by Dru

GM uses your ABS brake sensors to detect minute variations in wheel speeds caused by tire differential pressures. It requires about a 12 psi difference to activate the system. Not as cool as an embeded cheap, but, it didn't cost GM anything to install the idiot light. All of the sensors were already in place. – by Salaryman

Did Somebody Say 'Vette?(9:13am EST Wed Oct 25 2000)Would that be Chevette or Corvette?Same quality only one goes faster and appeals to morons.

Zaphod – by Zaphod

Salaryman(11:28am EST Thu Oct 26 2000)Thanx. I'm not a car girl so I didn't know what the deal was with that. I still think it's kewl though because I never think to check my tire pressure. – by Dru

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tire pressures(7:19pm EST Fri Apr 02 2004)for optimum tire pressures for your vehicle, go to 'smarttires.com'. your tire mileage will about double with rear wheel drives and about triple with front wheel drives. read about it and then do it, you'll save tons of money. – by dick

From Tailored Pinstripes to Barefoot Grease Monkey(1:10am EST Mon Aug 02 2004)I have to say that I could have used that last year. I was on my way to a business conference: tailored blue pinstriped suit, silk tie, starched white shirt, mirror-shined shoes, the whole nne yards. I ran over something on the a muddy road and the tire blew. My cell phone was in a “dead spot”. I had no choice – I opened the door – and stepped into a sea of mud. My fancy, shiny black Brooks Brothers shoes and socks were covered and I had to take them off.

I got the jack and the spare, and then took off my suit jacket, white shirt, cufflinks and necktie. I changed that tire in the trousers of a $2,000 buisiness suit, a t-shirt and bare feet, which provided some amusement for a few passing cars: the humbling of a “suit” is always good for a few laughs, I guess. I arrived at the conference covered with grease and grime – and have you ever tried to drive barefoot? It isn't easy.

Later I found out that the tire blew because it was so run down and ready to go. That new technology could have helped. – by Jim

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